The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos have hosted a pre-departure orientations for approximately 700 students who are benefiting from the 2023 U.S. Mission’s EducationUSA advising services in Nigeria.
These Nigerian students would soon depart for study in the United States, including 73 Opportunity Funds recipients.
The United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria said Nigeria is the 10th largest contributor of foreign students to the United States.
A statement by the Mission added that last year, over 14,000 Nigerian students were enrolled in over 1,000 US higher education institutions.
United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria said, “The EducationUSA is a US Department of State-supported network of over 430 international student advising centres across the world that provide information and guidance on the U.S. higher education admissions process.
“EducationUSA’s Opportunity Funds Program assists highly qualified students, who are likely to be awarded full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities, but lack the financial means to cover their pre-U.S. arrival costs such as application fees, test fees, and international airfare.”
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Rolf Olson, Counselor for Public Affairs, Adnan Siddiqi, and Lagos Public Affairs Officer, Joseph Kruzich, congratulated the students and wished them well.
In Abuja, Olson expressed his hope that the students would enhance Nigerian infrastructure and society.
In Lagos, Kruzich urged the students to “take advantage of all the opportunities American universities have to offer and become actively involved in the many organisations and clubs that will enrich your experience as a foreign student.”
Punch Newspaper